Britax recalls 23,000 baby car seats

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission and a North Carolina car-seat manufacturer have announced a recall of 23,000 Chaperone infant car seats.

The car seats, which were sold on the Britax website and at retailers nationwide, are being recalled because the harness chest clip can break and may cut or injure babies.

The firm has received four reports of the chest clip breaking. Three children received minor cuts and scratches to arms and a finger, while a fourth child placed the clip in his mouth.

The recall involves the Chaperone infant car seats with model numbers E9L95P2 (Red Mill), E9L95P3, E9L95P5 (Cowmooflage) and E9L69N9 (Moonstone) made between April 2009 and May 2010. The white label with the car seat's serial number, model number and manufacturing date can be found on the underside of the car seat.

The seats were sold by Britax Child Safety Inc. of Charlotte, N.C., and were made in China.

If you own one of these car seats, you should immediately contact Britax for a free repair kit, which includes a replacement chest clip. Registered owners have been directly contacted by Britax. This product was also recalled by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

For more information, visit Britax's website at http://www.britax.com or call Britax toll-free at 1-888-427-4829.

Linda Shrieves can be reached at lshrieves@orlandosentinel.com or 407-420-5433.